• GVWR does not include trailer weight.camping,trailer image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com
  
  The GVWR or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating specifications of a vehicle refers to the maximum allowable weight the vehicle can carry, including itself. The GVWR differs from model and trim of a vehicle and will be affected by added equipment and features or whether a trim has four or two doors, for example. GVWR specifications are set by the manufacturer and are individual to that exact make, model, trim and year of that vehicle.
  
  

GVWR Definition

• The GVWR is the maximum allowable weight of a vehicle. It is made up of the vehicle curb weight, the specified number of passengers the vehicle is designed to carry, and the cargo capacity of the vehicle.
  
  The curb weight of a vehicle is the weight of the vehicle when loaded with fuel and oil and all standard equipment, without driver or passengers and added cargo. The specified number of passengers changes with seating availability of the vehicle. For example, five seats means five passengers are included in the GVWR. The curb weight is the normal operating conditions of the vehicle when no cargo weight is added.
  
  You can subtract the curb weight from the GVWR to calculate allowable payload capacity for loading the vehicle, which will include the weight of the driver and any passengers.
  
  

Reason for GVWR

• Manufacturers set GVWRs for their vehicles in order to specify a safe operating limit for the vehicle. Exceeding GVWR will affect braking and handling of the vehicle and is unsafe. The GVWR will depend on the structural capacity of the vehicle.
  
  

Examples

• GVWR depends on the weight of a vehicle and the amount of cargo the vehicle is designed to carry, and are more commonly available as specifications for cargo or towing vehicles. Sport Utility Vehicles usually have less of a GVWR than a large pickup, for example, and big rigs have a higher GVWR than a pickup.
  
  For example, the U.S. Department of Energy's Fuel Economy website separates vehicles into classes by GVWR. SUVs, small and medium pickups, minivans and small cargo vans of less than or equal to 8,500 lbs GVWR are Category One. Category Two are pickups and vans of more than 115 inch wheelbase and that have a GVWR of less than or equal to 8,500 lbs.
  
  Category Three include pickups, trucks and vans of between 8,500 lbs and 10,000 lbs. Passenger cars can be under 6,000 lbs in GVWR.
  
  

Finding GVWR

• The GVWR of a vehicle is commonly found on the standard certification label that is attached to the frame or edge of the driver's door. It can also be found on the vehicle manual, the manufacturer's website or on technical specification websites such as Edmunds or Cars Direct.